Adam KirbyPress Association
Consistent sprinter Es Que Love earned a deserved return to the winner's enclosure with a stylish performance in the bet365 Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Since joining trainer Clive Cox from Mark Johnston at the start of the season, Es Que Love has been placed in the Abernant at Newmarket, the Duke of York Stakes and most recently the Hackwood Stakes at Newbury.
Sent off at 7-1 stepping up to seven furlongs for the first time this year, Es Que Love travelled with real panache in the hands of Adam Kirby, who appeared at pains to ensure he did not hit the front too soon.
Last year's champion juvenile Toormore, sent off the 5-6 favourite to bounce back from disappointing efforts in the 2000 Guineas and the St James Palace Stakes, was up with pace from the outset and was in front inside the final furlong.
However, he was unable to stop Es Que Love quickening by him close home and there was a neck in it at the line.
Toomore's stable companion Anjaal finished off strongly to grab third, with last year's winner Garswood only fourth.
Kirby said: "(I'm) really pleased with him. We all thought we were coming here with a massive chance. He loves the track, he loves the ground. They didn't feel to me they went very quick and I travelled very strong. He's come there on the bridle and he's done it easy to be fair to him.
"We learned quite a lot about him last time. He's not ungenuine, but today we thought we'd play it a bit later and it paid off. He's in real good form and Clive's done a great job."
Cox said: "There was no pace in the Hackwood last time and Adam took a calculated decision taking it up two out and he didn't quite last home. We came here with that confidence. We just had to ride him a bit more patiently and he did a super job. He's always been a good horse and that's how he works in the mornings at home.
"He's entered well. He's in the Hungerford, he's in the Park Stakes and we'll see where we go in between times. I'm just so pleased for the guys we've got a Group Two in the bag."
